The effect of pulmonary rehabilitation program on quality of life of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  Background : Considering the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its well-known complications different studies indicate the success of rehabilitation techniques to improve quality of life for those patients. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation techniques on quality of life in patients with COPD.

  Materials and Method: This quasi-experimental research was performed in the selected teaching hospitals in Isfahan on 80 elderly patients with COPD with moderate intensity during their 85-86 years. The patients divided randomly into two groups (40 patients in case group and 40 patients in control group). The disease severity was evaluated based on spirometry results. Data were collected by using quality of life questionnaire (SF-12). First, the quality of life of patients in both groups was evaluated by SF-12 and then the 20 minutes pulmonary rehabilitation programs in the case group were performed every morning and evening for two months. At the end of two months, the qualities of life in both groups were measured again. The results were analyzed using SPSS-10 software.

  Results : The results showed that there is a significant direct relationship between some demographic characteristics and their quality of life score (p=0.03). Pulmonary rehabilitation program enhanced the quality of life in those patients ( p =0.01) .

  Conclusion : Regarding these findings, it should be consider that demographic characteristics of patients and their rehabilitation programs should be included the pulmonary rehabilitation program to improve quality of life.